Year 12 Chem Notes

Calculating the Equilibrium Constant (Keq)
Inquiry question: How can the position of equilibrium be described and what does the equilibrium constant
represent?
Deduce the equilibrium For the reaction:

expression (in terms of Keq) for aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD
homogeneous reactions - Capital letters represent chemical substance
occurring in solution - Small letters represent stoichiometric coefficients
Perform calculations to find the Only gaseous and aqueous species appear in the equilibrium expressions. Solids
value of Keq and concentrations and liquids turn into a 1
of substances within an At K, the system is at equilibrium. If concentration at any point is substituted into
equilibrium system, and use the equation, then the value is denoted as Q, the reaction quotient.
these values to make predictions The relative values of Q and K tells you which way the reaction will proceed to the
equilibrium.
on the direction in which a - If Q = K , the system is at equilibrium
reaction may proceed - If Q > K, the backwards reaction will be favoured
- If Q < K, the forward reaction will be favoured.
By examining the equilibrium expressions the following generalised statements
can be made:
● Greater K values means that the reaction is proceeding to the right (more
products are being formed)
● Smaller K values means that the reaction is proceeding to the left (lesser
products are being formed)
Qualitatively analyse the effect of Temperature is the single factor that can cause a change in the equilibrium
temperature on the value of Keq constant to shift.
● For exothermic reactions, K increases with lower temperatures and
decreases with higher temperatures
● For endothermic reactions, K decreases with lower temperatures and
increases with higher temperatures.
Conduct an investigation to Colourimetry is an analytical technique used to determine the concentration of

determine Keq of a chemical coloured compounds in solution based on their absorbance of light.
equilibrium system, for example:
● Keq of the iron(III) How colorimetry works
1. A lamp provides a continuous source of white light which is narrowed and
thiocyanate equilibrium
aligned into a beam using a slit
2. A coloured filter allows a small range of wavelengths to pass through to
the sample and blocks the other wavelengths
3. The light beam passes through the sample, which absorbs a fraction of the
light
4. The remaining light is transmitted through the sample and reaches the
detector, which converts the amount of light to an electrical signal.
Absorbance is measured according to the following equation:

A = log10 I0/I
- A: absorbance and is expressed in AU
- I0: the intensity of the light passing through the blank
- I: The intensity of the light passing through the sample with the analyte.
The Beer Lambert law

A = ϵlc
- ϵ : Molar absorptivity, units L cm-1 mol-1
- l: Path length of the sample in cm
- c: Concentration of the analyte sample in mol L-1
According to Beer-Lambert law, Absorbance is proportional to both concentration

and the length of the sample.
INVESTIGATION
We can use colorimetry to determine the equilibrium of the Iron (III) thiocyanate
equilibrium.
Iron (III) thiocyanate is an intense deep orange -red colour and it reflects and
transmits light that is mostly orange red and absorbs blue light. The absorbance
of blue light will be directly proportional to equilibrium concentration. The
following method can be used to determine the Keq of iron (III) thiocyanate
solution
1. Prepare standard solutions of [FeSCN]2+ and measure absorbance

2. Construct a calibration curve relating concentration of [FeSCN]2+ and
absorbance.
3. Mix a known number of moles of Fe3+ and SCN- to produce equilibrium
mixture
4. Measure the absorbance of the equilibrium mixture and use the
calibration curve to determine the equilibrium concentration of [FeSCN]2+
5. Use an ICE calculation to determine the equilibrium concentrations of
Fe3+ and SCN-, then calculate K.
Explore the use of Keq for Dissociation of acids and bases

different types of chemical Strong acids completely dissociate in water and are represented by straight
reactions, including but not arrows.
limited to: Eg: Dissociation of HCl
Weak acids partially dissolve in water,they proceed to dynamic equilibrium and
● Dissociation of ionic
are represented by a reversible arrow.
solutions Eg: Dissociation of HF
● Dissociation of acids and The acid dissociation constant is the equilibrium constant for the dissociation of
bases an acid into H+ ions and an anion. It has the symbol Ka.
The larger the Ka the stronger the acid.
Some bases do not contain OH- ions and instead they produce them by reacting
with water. The general equation is as follows:
B(aq) + H2O(l) → BH+(aq) + OH-(aq)
The base dissociation constant Kb is the equilibrium constant for this reaction.
The pH scale is a logarithmic scale.

pH = -log10 [H+]
pH allows you to deduce the relative strength and concentration of different acidic
solutions.

Year 12 Chem Notes

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Year 12 Chem Notes

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Year 12 Chem Notes

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Calculating the Equilibrium Constant (Keq)

Deduce the equilibrium For the reaction:

Conduct an investigation to Colourimetry is an analytical technique used to determine the concentration of

Absorbance is measured according to the following equation:

The Beer Lambert law

According to Beer-Lambert law, Absorbance is proportional to both concentration

1. Prepare standard solutions of [FeSCN]2+ and measure absorbance

Explore the use of Keq for Dissociation of acids and bases

The pH scale is a logarithmic scale.

You might also like